A new partnership and grant-funded program will make it easier for working professionals to earn teaching certification.

East Texas A&M University is taking aim at the teacher shortage in Texas with a new initiative designed to help working adults and paraprofessionals become certified educators.

Through a partnership between the university's College of Innovation and Design (CID) and the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS), East Texas A&M will launch a fully online, competency-based teacher preparation program supported by a $416,555 grant from the Greater Texas Foundation.

The program is designed to create a more flexible pathway to teacher certification, making it possible for individuals already working in schools—or those balancing careers and family responsibilities—to earn a bachelor's degree and teaching certification while maintaining their current commitments.

Is this initiative/program in the works but not launched yet? If so, what is the expected launch date?

A Statewide Need for New Teachers

The initiative comes at a time when Texas schools are facing significant workforce challenges. According to the Texas Education Agency's 2024–2025 “Employed Teacher Attrition and New Hires” report, teacher attrition in Texas remains high while the number of new hires entering the profession has declined. The report notes that the state continues to experience substantial turnover as teachers leave the classroom or move between districts, creating an ongoing demand for new educators.

These challenges have increased pressure on districts to fill vacancies, particularly in elementary and early childhood classrooms. The growing need for qualified teachers has prompted universities and education leaders across Texas to explore new ways to prepare educators and expand access to certification programs.

East Texas A&M Colleges Join Forces

East Texas A&M's new CID/COEHS partnership—which is set to be implemented beginning this fall of 2026—is designed to help meet that need by offering a pathway that removes some of the barriers potential teachers often face.

“What we've come to realize is, yes, we have a teacher shortage, a huge teacher shortage in the state of Texas,” said Dr. Kathryn Dixon, associate dean of the COEHS. “But we also have people in communities who are employed by schools either as paraprofessionals or in some other capacity who would like to pursue becoming a classroom teacher. Traditional programs are not always a good option for them.”

Dixon said many prospective teachers face obstacles such as geography, cost or the ability to attend traditional classes while working full time.

“Competency-based pathways allow for more accessible and affordable routes to becoming a teacher for people who might not otherwise be able to pursue that goal,” Dixon said. “We see this as another way we can help address the teacher shortage, essentially adding another option for people to choose the pathway that fits their lives.”

The new initiative represents a close collaboration between East Texas A&M's CID and COEHS. The two colleges worked together to design the program and secure funding to support its development.

“This is really a partnership between CID and COEHS to design and launch competency-based programs at the undergraduate level in education,” said Dr. April Sanders, dean of the College of Innovation and Design.

Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Raymond Green agreed that this initiative has the power to make a difference.

“We are combining COEHS's talent in teacher training with CID's expertise and CBE infrastructure to increase access for those seeking to become teachers as we work together to address the teacher shortage in Texas,” Green said.

Foundation Grant Powers New Pathway

The effort received a significant boost through a $416,555 grant from Greater Texas Foundation, a private nonprofit organization based in Bryan, Texas, that works to improve educational outcomes and expand access to postsecondary education for Texas students.

The funding was awarded to the East Texas A&M University Foundation and will be used over the next three years to support the development and launch of the new program.

According to Sanders, the grant will fund several key components necessary to build a successful competency-based education program.

“The funding will help us design the courses using the competency-based model,” Sanders said. “It will also support student services like advising and onboarding, as well as training for faculty and staff who will be involved in delivering the program. Our goal is to use that funding to build a strong foundation for these programs so we can launch them successfully and sustain them long term.”

Competency-Based Education Explained

At the heart of the initiative is competency-based education, or CBE—a model that focuses on mastery of skills rather than time spent in a classroom. In a CBE program, students progress by demonstrating that they understand and can apply the material, allowing them to move forward once they have mastered each competency.

For students who already have experience working in schools, such as paraprofessionals, this model can be particularly beneficial.

“For our paraprofessionals who come into the program with a wealth of experience, they're able to build on what they've already mastered in the field,” Sanders said. “They can demonstrate the knowledge and skills they already have and move forward from there.”

CBE programs at East Texas A&M are designed to be flexible and student-centered. Coursework is delivered online during seven-week terms, with students able to complete classes even faster in come instances.

“Competency-based education is a great way to help students find a flexible pathway to their goal of earning a degree and teacher certification,” Sanders said. “It allows them to focus on what they need to learn while recognizing the experience they already bring with them.”

The structure of the program still includes the hands-on classroom experience required for teacher preparation. While CBE coursework is done through online classes, students will complete field-based experiences and clinical teaching placements in schools, ensuring they gain real-world teaching experience.

“Teacher education is not just about gaining knowledge,” Dixon said. “It's about being able to apply that knowledge and demonstrate mastery in real classroom settings. Competency-based education aligns well with that because it focuses on demonstrating those skills.”

Opening the Door for Future Teachers

The program is also expected to expand the university's reach beyond its immediate region by allowing students across Texas to participate.

Because coursework is online, prospective teachers in communities far from a university campus will still have access to the program while completing required field experiences in local school districts. For working adults who have considered becoming teachers but assumed their schedules would not allow it, the program offers a new path forward.

“Doing what we need to best serve our students is challenging in the best of times,” Green said. “When we find partners, like from CID and COEHS, dedicated to serving students, we all benefit.”

By combining flexibility, real-world experience and strong student support, East Texas A&M hopes to help more Texans turn their passion for education into a career—while helping schools across the state fill classrooms with qualified teachers.

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